Field of Dreams' movie site sale complete

DYERSVILLE, Iowa — An investment group that includes Hall of Fame third baseman Wade Boggs has completed its oft-delayed purchase of the eastern Iowa farm where “Field of Dreams” was filmed and plans to begin turning it into a large baseball and softball tournament complex in the spring.

Go the Distance Baseball LLC said it closed on the deal last week for the 193-acre farm in Dyersville, paying sellers Don and Becky Lansing $3.4 million, plus interest. The Lansings originally listed their farm more than two years ago for $5.4 million.

Go the Distance plans to transform the state landmark into All-Star Ballpark Heaven, a 24-field youth baseball and softball tournament complex. Construction is expected to begin this spring, with the first tournament games scheduled for 2014, the Des Moines Register reported.

“We already have begun creating our team of architects, engineers and construction experts from Iowa who will lead the charge for developing All-Star Ballpark Heaven,” Denise Stillman, the group’s president and CEO, said in a statement.

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Go the Distance plans to preserve the farmhouse and the rest of the site where the beloved 1989 Kevin Costner movie was shot. The group estimates that its project will create 1,400 jobs and will eventually bring in $40 million to the area.

Don Lansing said in a statement that he was happy with the sale, reported the Telegraph Herald.

“I have been honored to care for (the farm) my entire life, and I know the Stillmans and their group will care for the movie site like I did,” he said.

The sale ran into delays. Some area residents opposed the development and filed a petition in September requesting to block a zoning change needed to allow commercial use of the property. A judge later denied the request.